There is something magical about Fuerteventura that draws us back year after year.
We often dream of living here, however do not think we could all year around as we like the cooler months (Oct - Mar) and to be honest also like more "Cosmopolitan" type stuff to do. there is also something great about an English Spring (?). Summer and Autumn.
The ex-pats we meet when here often seem a little jaded and inebriated off.
This year, work was preventing us visiting, but circumstances have changed and we are now due to be in Fuerte in just under 2 weeks! We are soooo happy to be back here, and the contrast in mood has made us wonder.......Well perhaps it's worth a try
Anyway what is great and what is missed by those of you who have taken the plunge?
Lots of people have thought they could live here, but have or are going back for various reasons. We've seen some many people return to their country of origin over the last 10 years.
Don't buy a property until you're absolutely sure you're going to stay, always rent.
My best piece of advice for anyone moving over there is DO NOT indulge in gossip.
First 6 months I was there I didn't know the score and used to get involved in the number two, but soon learn't.
Too many retired / bored / nosey expats over there who love a good bit of mud slinging.
I remember once in Nuevo I farted at about 10:15 am
By 10:36 am according to Caleta I had s*** myself and had a sexual encounter with a goat and a mars bar
Study the new residencia rules - they make good sense, i.e. can you support yourself and your family and can you provide medical insurance cover for you and your dependents
If you are not 100% sure you can meet this criteria I wouldn't consider moving
theres a few Bulgarians and Roumanians who wont be worrying about that too much over the next year or so.
Although not living there my observations are.
UPS
Brilliant weather
Relaxed way of life
Reasonable cost of living
Driving is more enjoyable
DOWNS
Missing Children/Grandchilden
Red tape/bureaucracy
Lack of a safety net should things take a turn for the worse financially
Absence of greenery, fields & hedges etc
Spot on Brightspark, lived here quite a few years now and can't believe how many people who've been here five minutes dislike us although they've never even taken the time to stop and speak to us.
My biggest problem having lived on the Island for about 2 years was boredom and lack of mental stimulation, that is, there is only so much sand, sea, sun and bare rock you can take. A good point was made about gossip, its sad, but true, a lot of the expats thrive on it and nothing much else.
My problems were caused through my own laziness i.e. if I had made the efford and learnt Spanish for instance, or had a decent hobby etc things might have been different. Drinking seems to be the main hobby for a high percentage of expats, not knocking it if it keeps them happy, most of the ones I know have some sort of Alcohol related illness, circles I moved in I suppose.
Rent for a few while and try to take the winter and summer months.
i think the lack of variety ie: sports events, theatre, live music events the varied culture of the uk is something i would miss
love the island, love our time there but still look forward to going home and thats after only 2 weeks, never come back sad or wishing we were staying longer, just look forward to our next visit.
Quote from: appy ammer on February 21, 2013, 19:10:48 PM
i think the lack of variety ie: sports events, theatre, live music events the varied culture of the uk is something i would miss
I agree with this Sir
Very interesting conundrum this one.
Could you make the move full time?.
After 5 years of deliberating with the mrs come to the conclusion...no way at the moment.
Theres a lot to not like about the UK at the moment but then theres plenty going for it too. Never tried more than 3 weeks and always reasonably happy to go home...even to work. Got some great friends out there and love the lifestyle but for ever? not sure.Will try a month next.,then 6 weeks then 2 months and see how it goes. Always wanted to give the New Year a try so thats probably the next step.
Having read back through my post, I must admit it does sound all doom and gloom in Fuerteventura. The first twelve months of my life on the Island were the best of my life, its what you make of it, the same as anywere else. The weather, culture, beaches, laid back lifestyle,sun, sangria,swimming pools, everything is just brilliant coming from freezing, wet blighty its paradise. My problem is, I dont like sitting around for long and have a low attention span, basically I was'nt ready for full retirement and it was apparent to me after approx eighteen months. If I had a business or interesting job on Fuerter I would probably still be their.
If you make friends who have business's out their like I did, you tend to feel out of it when they all start talking about who they met that day or their much more interesting their life is on a daily basis. Maybe that was my mistake, who knows.
Everyone is different, just give it a bit of thought as to what you will put your time in with. I would not like to think I had put anyone off or doubt in their mind,you have to try things for yourself. I wish you all of the best and hope you adapt better than me, just dont burn all of your bridges back in the UK.
NOT IN ANY PARTICULAR ORDER:
We love to be amonst happy, relaxed people that always have time to smile
We love the fact it says on the shop door at 2pm in the afternoon "Open 8am to 4pm" and it's closed
We love the stark and beautiful scenery that is so unique in world term UNESCO made the whole of the Island a biosphere
We love the traffic jams here - I was in one this morning with 4 other cars
We love the fact we can be in Madrid in two hours, Milan in 3 1/2 hours and most UK airports in about 4 hours, about the same time it takes my brother to drive form Coventry to Bournemouth and alot less expensive. I can guarantee the food, drink and entertainment in these places is at least as good as anything in the UK, sometimes even better [I know it's difficult to believe, but true][Callos in Madrid, Spaghetti ala Vongole in Milan, fish and chips in Weymouth]
We love the fact we have 8.5mbps broadband and can spend hours video chatting to friends & family we rarely saw before. We can even watch Sky Sports and Corrie
We love the fact that our grand children actually want to spend their summer holiday with us old duffers
We love the fact that our dear UK & Peninsula friends take advantage of us and come and stay for a few days
We love the fact that we live in a real community - where neighbours are special and everyone we meet says "Good Morning" even if in broad Majoraro it is difficult to understand
We love the fact we can travel anywhere in Spain and The Canaries for half price
We love the fact that if we were ever to go into hopsital here we would be looked after well and won't catch some killer disease
I love the fact that my trips to The King Billy pub in Nottingham is a VERY special occasion
I love the fact I can ride my motorbike all year round without large snotty icicles forming on my nose and my eyes being frozen open so that I can't blink
etc. etc. etc.
PS We love to listen to Spike On Q every Friday night 6pm to 8pm on www.canaryuk.com (http://www.canaryuk.com)! SORRY!
To all of those of you who have said you are bored or do not have enough to do. May I ask what you would do in the UK upon retirement. Are your lives full of theatre trips,, sports events and other entertainment with every waking hour packed with things to do?
Yes to them all Emmi.
Spike - brilliant...........I need say nothing else sir.............. :)
Bed of Roses, Paddster and Spike, bed of roses. Invite me to your engagement.
Quote from: emmi on February 21, 2013, 21:17:35 PM
To all of those of you who have said you are bored or do not have enough to do. May I ask what you would do in the UK upon retirement. Are your lives full of theatre trips,, sports events and other entertainment with every waking hour packed with things to do?
I think the attraction that the UK has compared to Fue is freedom of choice.
Why you back over ere Barry ? Do u call back to the rock mate ? Good to hear from ya....
decided to move back for the sake of the little one, things were just getting a little worrying over there. not the same as it was when I first arrived, plus I just needed a new challenge really, and dry out my liver.
How are you mate?
All, I can say is Wow!
What wonderful, amusing and honest answers! Massive thanks to you all, it has put into perspective and confirmed some thoughts we already had.
I suspect we will end up doing as Stedge, says and increase the length of our stays to see how it goes. If I'm honest doubt we could stay there for 12M on the trot as we are not lovers of the heat (I know that sounds ridiculous, but we love Oct -Mar and find the other months too hot)
I must admit though, when we are on the plane home, a gloom does descend, which is really what made us think. Funny thing is, when we used to live in the States, I'd feel the same going back there from England, so guess I'm just never happy.
Hiya Baz,hope everything's ok for ya over ere ? We'll not mention the weather........So you working back ere ? I'm back over there in Oct for 18 days this year,can't wait ! You needed to dry your liver out did ya ? LOL.....Suppose it's an easy habit to get into,drining all the time ? Good to hear from ya pal,regards to the Mrs and the little 'un.........PS Do you go back over to the Rock at all or are you done with it ?
Quote from: Paddster on February 22, 2013, 15:29:44 PM
Hiya Baz,hope everything's ok for ya over ere ? We'll not mention the weather........So you working back ere ? I'm back over there in Oct for 18 days this year,can't wait ! You needed to dry your liver out did ya ? LOL.....Suppose it's an easy habit to get into,drining all the time ? Good to hear from ya pal,regards to the Mrs and the little 'un.........PS Do you go back over to the Rock at all or are you done with it ?
Oh I shall be going back on a holiday basis, still got family over there so obliged to really lol. Only got back in the UK at the start of the year so no plans to go back just yet. weather... yeah lol, though saying that I have kind of missed it. Working too so all good in the land of blighty :)
It amazes me how many people see only the negatives , where ever you choose to live can have its problems/negatives however its how you handle them that's important . Myself I do intend to make Fuerte my main residence in the next few years however that doesnt mean to say I wont still want to travel and see new places. I find its the relaxed atmosphere that Fuerte has that attracts me togehter with the obvious - lovely weather :D
yes i agree.....its treating it as your home not an extended holiday that makes the difference.....and what a place to live.....
We have just moved over here,and the one thing I would say is bring everything with you,and I mean everything! All those odd things that you accumulated over the last 20 odd years, bring them as well.
It's just easier and less frustrating than touring all the Ferretarias looking for the one thing they don't have-but you know it's in any branch of B and Q on the left hand side past the tills.
..and get used to winding up those you speak to via a video link in the UK in February wearing a T shirt and shorts and learn how to look sympathetically when they talk of snow.
Learn the language.
Talk to older people in the UK about what life used to be like in the 70's- that will help as well.
..and after all those preparations, which won't be enough, you can sit in the warm and lose yourself in staggering sunsets or watch Arabic TV for free!
Fuerteventura - means STRONG FUTURE which is the cultural outlook of the Majoraro people. Can you imagine a forum like this without any rude comments and complainers - just people anticipating a happy tomorrow and expressing their joy in being alive and among'st friends
No...
;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)
Quote from: mobbo100 on February 22, 2013, 20:33:12 PM
yes i agree.....its treating it as your home not an extended holiday that makes the difference.....and what a place to live.....
I agree with Mobbo100 :)